The heat of the desert

This is actually a re-post from a year ago.  It seemed appropriate for what I am going through right now.  There are times you feel the heat of a desert.  Have you ever felt that way?

From my prayer journal...
"I yearn for your answers God.  You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable.  God your plan seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."

Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return home or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate.  You wait. You pray. You wait some more.

The Bible is full of people who waited. God's people wait.  Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited.  They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?

There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in.  While waiting I am learning more about who God is.

Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."

I must have blind faith in His time.

My need to wait overrides my need to understand.
My need to control takes a back seat to His Sovereignty.
My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.
My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.  
As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through.

Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.   Your promises are perfect, so that means that you can only bring your Perfection to each promise.

Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer?  What did you learn in your waiting?

Music Monday [Always]

I love the truth that lives in these lyrics by Kristian Stanfill.  If anyone tells you life as a Christian is easy, it's not true.  And really...it shouldn't be.  If it was, then we wouldn't need God.  God knows just what we need, when we need it, and how we need.  I am thankful that God is always for us.  When trouble surrounds me, this song surrounds me with truth.


In my walk there are many foes.  When they rise up against me, I must remember that God is for me.  When things don't make sense I must trust.  When there are storms, I ask God to calm them, but many times instead, He calms me and leads me through them.  I have learned to lean on and lean in. 


Nothing else works as well as God does.  He is my help...always.


Oh sure there are times of fear, weak faith, and doubt but one thing I do know...God's promises are true and right.  He will come through on His time, on His schedule, and for my good.  There are times of wait that I don't need to understand.  But I do need to know that I am not alone.  I need to know that God will not desert me in my desert.  He is my help.  He is Faithful.

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
These lyrics help me keep my eyes on Him, and the troubles of this world soon fade.  Whatever is clamoring for your attention isn't as important as who God is.  God is for us and God is good.  Always. 


Remember His Goodness.  Always.

Music Monday [Desert Song]

I love this worship song by Hillsong United.  It speaks to my spiritual journey right now.  I will let the words speak for themselves.


This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
cs from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong/the_desert_song.html ]
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life, In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow


I have to chose to worship all the time.  I don’t always feel like it. Sometimes all I feel like doing is crying.  But I know this...at the end of the day....God is still God. He doesn’t change.  He hasn't changed in what He has called me to be or what He’s called me to do. He’s still on the throne in heaven.  And because He doesn't change...that single reason gives me something to cling to.  Because He is in my tomorrows and controls them that gives me reason to worship.

Do you see the hope here?

Desert Days

We all have specific seasons that we journey through. Mine seems to be one of dryness... like a desert.  Have you ever felt that way?  


From my prayer journal...


"I yearn for your answers God.  You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable.  God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."


Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate.  You wait. You pray. You wait some more.


The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?


There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in.  While waiting I am learning more about who God is.  


Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."


One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!"  What I really meant was I am out of words.  I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.  

I must have blind faith in His time.  

My need to wait overrides my need to understand.

My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence.  

My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.

My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.

My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.    

As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through. 

Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.  

Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer?  What did you learn in your waiting?